Glass Leak at Vitro Plant Injuries Multiple People

A glass leak at Vitro Architectural Glass’ Wichita Falls, Texas, plant on Sunday afternoon injured multiple people.

According to Vitro, the line number two furnace developed a leak that caused hot, molten glass to escape from the vessel. Multiple agencies were deployed to the scene to help seal the leak. Six employees who were injured during the incident were taken to United Regional Hospital for treatment of heat stress.

Glass production slowed on line two, but was not stopped during the leak or repair, says Robert Struble, Vitro’s brand and communications manager.

“Glass supply is not expected to be impacted by the incident,” Struble adds. “Plant and engineering specialists will be working to determine the root cause of the glass leak and identify any required long-term repairs.”

This incident follows the death of a 31-year-old woman at the same plant on July 30, 2022. According to Vitro, Kimberly Wright was killed following a forklift accident. Wright was employed by ABM Industries and contracted to the Vitro plant in Wichita Falls, according to Wichita Falls plant manager Robert Baxter. An investigation into the incident continues.

“We are a tight-knit community at the plant,” says Baxter. “We know and care for each other. When a tragedy like this occurs, it shakes us to the core. I know I speak for all of our people when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”